Looming Y2K computer problem to get international attention Friday

Heads of national programs set up to deal with the problems posed by the year 2000 computer problem (Y2K) will meet at United Nations headquarters on Friday.

The Y2K problem threatens important computer systems, including air-traffic control, telecommunications, financial services, and government services, because many computers in use worldwide in these critical areas were not designed to make the switch from years beginning with the numerals "19" to years beginning with "20."

The UN said that developing countries may be especially vulnerable to the problem, because although they tend to use less computer equipment, the equipment they use may tend to be older and less likely to have been prepared for the problem.

Pakistan's UN representative, Ahmad Kamal, organizing the meeting within his role as chairman of the Chairman of the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Working Group on Informatics, said that problems in one part of the world could effect other parts of the world.

The closed-door meeting will feature expert reports on banking and finance, telecommunications, nuclear power; oil and gas, shipping and ports, and aviation, followed by "an exchange of national experiences and viewpoints on contingency planning and crisis management" and a "discussion of international strategy."

More than 80 Y2K coordinators have confirmed that they will attend the conference, the UN said.